Today's news

CHARTER SCHOOL BAILOUT: The Hillsborough school district decides to take over a struggling charter schools for at-risk students.

PROGRAM PROTECTED: Hillsborough plans to expand rather than cut its after-school programs for kids. The only change is that it will charge families for the service.

LOCAL BUDGETS:Pinellas tentatively approves its $1.47-billion budget, which includes a 4 percent tax hike. Pasco moves ahead with its $1.2-billion budget, which calls for its tax rate to remain the same.

NCLB PILOT BEGINS: The Florida Department of Education announces the launch of its new "differentiated accountability" program that will change the way it deals with schools that haven't made adequate yearly progress, the AP reports. Two Palm Beach schools face potential closure under the plan, the Palm Beach Post reports. So does one in Broward, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.